President of Republic’s talks with President of European Commission

President Beji Caied Essebsi met Wednesday in his residence in Abidjan with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, on the sidelines of his participation in the 5th Africa-Europe Summit.

The head of state expressed during the talk his satisfaction at the level of cooperation between Tunisia and the European Union considered as the first economic partner of Tunisia, Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui told TAP, after the meeting.

Caied Essebsi also commended the European Union’s constant support for Tunisia, calling for its consolidation in view of the difficulties Tunisia is experiencing at this crucial stage in its history, Jhinaoui added.

For his part, the president of the European Commission affirmed the support of the European Union to the democratic process of Tunisia that he ranks among the priorities of its foreign policy, said Jhinaoui.

Jean-Claude Juncker also emphasised the importance of the current negotiations between Tunisia and the EU with a view to achieving a common approach to a new political framework that will allow by the year 2020 a developed cooperation likely to enable Tunisia to meet the challenges and meet the development goals of both sides, said Jhinaoui.

On regional issues of common interest both sides agreed to intensify consultations on the resolution of the Libyan crisis.